Are you living with recurring headaches or migraines? If so, you may be wondering what is causing your pain.
Poor posture, stress, and other factors can all lead to muscle and joint weakness, strain, and injury in the neck. Depending on the area of the body, the pain may radiate through the scalp, the side of the head, or even the forehead.
Headaches are the third most commonly recorded cause of pain in the world. So if this is something you’re dealing with, you may find some solace in knowing you’re not alone.
Physical therapy typically isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when someone has a headache. However, it can be extremely beneficial! Especially in preventing future headaches.
Medications can help relieve pain in the short term. But if you are living with chronic pain or migraines, pain relievers will not provide the same long-term benefits as physical therapy.
If you are experiencing persistent headaches, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our Wilmington, NC physical therapy services can treat both acute and chronic pain.
Call Lumina Wellness Physical Therapy today at (910) 805-1111 for more information or to make an appointment!
The three most common types of headaches
Many people may not know this, but there are different types of headaches that all develop from different causes.
The three main types of headaches include:
Tension
This is the most common type of headache. These can occur due to repeated movements or poor posture in the neck or head. If you’ve ever seen someone at work holding their head at their desk, it’s possibly due to a tension headache.
Tension is caused by pressure on the “dura mater,” a delicate membrane that surrounds the brain.
The dura mater sits close to the small muscles at the base of the skull, which goes into spasm when the dura mater is stressed, transmitting signals of pain to the brain and triggering your headache.
Musculoskeletal
Musculoskeletal headaches arise when there is a large amount of strain in the neck. This is usually the product of physical imbalances, deficiencies, or injury, while emotional stress (such as stress) can also be a contributing factor.
Traumatic damage to the neck, such as whiplash, is a common cause of musculoskeletal headaches. In the case of neck injuries such as whiplash, the muscles and connective tissues in the neck may become strained.
This can lead to agonizing pain in the head, as well as in the face, shoulders, or neck.
Cervicogenic
Cervicogenic headaches are related to pain in the neck, affecting the top three vertebrae of the neck. In fact, the majority of headaches are rooted in problems with the neck.
These headaches may occur as a result of some disorders, such as concussion or arthritis, but work-related strains may also cause cervicogenic headaches.
People who work jobs that consistently require a down-turned motion of the head or neck are more likely to experience cervicogenic headaches.
These can include hairdressers, long-haul drivers, cooks, nail artists, jewelers, etc.
How can physical therapy help relieve my headaches?
Choose PT states that physical therapy has been shown to help manage chronic headache pain in the following ways:
- Therapy can improve function and mobility.
- It can improve the ease of motion in the neck.
- You can experience an overall improved quality of life.
- It can decrease or resolve the intensity, frequency, and duration of headaches.
- Physical therapy can help you cut back on the need for medications.
At Lumina Wellness Physical Therapy in Wilmington, NC, we are committed to providing you with the best treatment for your headaches.
At your initial appointment, one of our highly qualified physical therapists will perform a physical exam and ask you questions about your health history and symptoms, to assess what sort of headache you are having and where the pain comes from.
A treatment plan will then be tailored specifically for you and your rehabilitation, most likely including targeted workouts, manual therapy, and patient education to help minimize the number of headaches you will end up having in the future.
Remember that no two patients are alike, and neither are two treatment plans! The only way to find out what a therapist will recommend for your headache pain is to request an appointment with one.
Get started on your pain relief journey today
Our therapy methods at Lumina Wellness Physical Therapy are centered on pain relief, posture improvement, and muscle strengthening in the neck and upper back.
All of these will make your daily life much more relaxed and bearable, free of the discomfort of headaches!
To consult with one of our Wilmington, NC physical therapists, call (910) 805-1111 or click here to make an appointment.